Gun Sense is Not Grassroots!

Thanks to all the Mark Donka supporters!!I wish to congratulate Peter Welch on his victory last night. The race was a respectful one on both sides which I and I’m certain the public appreciated.

To everyone who took the time to vote, thank you!! Your support means the world to me.

To everyone who donated to the campaign, I credit you for pushing us 7% higher this time around. Taking that extra step to write a check, all funded by local donations is important to me. Thank you!

Though not directly reflected in the final voting statistics, we made some REALLY big strides with our campaign this year and keep learning every day. We’ll take a break and then regroup to asses our options going forward. Right now I have a strong inkling that I’ll be back in some capacity!

I wish to thank all the hard working volunteers who spent time helping out. You are the heart and soul of the team!

In the meantime, since we’ve built such a strong social media following we’ll keep generating and passing along pertinent news and on-goings.

Sincerely,

Mark Donka

Peter Welch declines Mark Donka's debate Offer

What is Peter Welch concerned about? Is Mark Donka the underdog that could steal this year’s election? I reached out to Mark Donka’s campaign manager Scott Walter inquiring about the supposed debate offer the Welch Camp turned down? Scott said, “It’s true, they flat out declined our offer.” “The ritual on the Congressional debate trail hinders voters from developing issue clarity so we reached out to Peter and offered a 1 on 1 debate”. “In no disrespect to the other candidates, our poll numbers indicated it’s clearly a two horse race and we wanted to do the public a service”. “We sought a time table with the Charlie, Ernie and Lisa show and then offered two dates to the Welch Camp”. “They returned a call to me saying Peter was busy those two days.” “I interpreted this as an apparent dodge so I called their bluff”. “Can Peter spare an hour anytime over the next two weeks I inquired?” “Check with your folks and let me know." "I got no reply in any form whatsoever, complete radio silence”.

With Obama’s numbers tanking, the list of scandals too numerous to cover in a single article, Vermont Health connect on the skids, rocketing property taxes it’s easy to see why Peter Welch might want to avoid any direct confrontation with Mark Donka. Peter is running a ‘hey I’m Vermont’s best buddy’ under the radar campaign with the liberal press tossing out meaningless scraps sans any substance of info on a daily basis. Donka states, “Congressman Welch is a rubber stamp for Obama and once the GOP takes the Senate on Nov 4th he’ll be quite ineffective.”

Mark continues, “Who has a 15% approval rate and keeps their job, not you or I?” How long is too long to get a job done? “If you’re unable to set and execute an agenda in eight years, it’s time to try something else.” “This job was meant as a civic duty, to serve the people and not to be a career with health benefits and a bloated retirement pension.” We’re 18 trillion dollars (T R I L L I O N) in debt and my advice is to vote out any member of congress who have been at the table of gluttony for eight years or more regardless of party affiliation.” This isn’t only a one party problem, it’s both shamefully and wastefully abusing the power of politics. “Step one of the solution is to turn up the heat and churn rate to ten! “

Are you surprised he turned down your invitation I asked Mark?, ” No, but it says a lot about his character and belief in his party’s agenda whose lack of preparation and execution is saddling future generations with unfathomable hardship.” “Like hiking, the mountain should be in better shape when you leave having enjoyed its invigorating beauty along the way.” “ If politicians followed this simple creed, America’s future would be so much more promising."

smcgee@rdstatealliance.com

Front Page of the Burlington Free Press!

Being on the cover of the BFP isn't such a bad ghing!! It's crunch time folks so urge your friends to get to the polls and vote. Offer them a ride, discuss the choices they have and let them know that their vote will probably count more in this election and any before!!!

My US Congressional debate on VPBS is now online. Watch, comment and share

Mark Donka Closes Gap on Welch

Per the latest AP Poll Mark Donka is within 5 pts of incumbent Welch. Campaign Manager Scott Walter stated, "This poll was taken prior to the VPBS debate last night in which we've gotten some astoundingly good news from our base and a swing of about five additional points within our own polling statistics."US-House-All, 9th Add,400By Associated Press Published: 12:39 EST, 22 October 2014 275 of 275 precincts - 100 percent

Here is the link to the Ch. 17 Congressional debate from last week. Take a gander and let me know what you thing!

School ProjectA Vermont high school student asked me for permission to use images from our web site to put together an AP U.S. Gov. Class project. Here's what she did...thanks Gratia Rowell, very well done!!

It's fantastic when the vibrant minds of our youth decide to get involved!

How Effective is Obamacare?

My friend David had a physical last week and found out he has a heart murmur and needs tests run. Lucky we have Obamacare now right? Wrong. In David's case the plan he could afford through the Vermont Health Connect exchange would carry a $7000 a year deductible. He was asking me what he could do, buy insurance and pay the first $7000 in testing himself or just pay the entire cost himself because after all, he would be making monthly insurance payments that would be putting the overall costs higher. After thinking about it a few days he decided he would forgo testing and hope it isn't something that could kill him.Peter Welch is happy with Obamacare and said that it is doing what was expected. Leaving people like David in such a situation is expected?Mark Donka who is challenging Peter Welch has an effective plan on the table. David would be able to buy a plan that is affordable for him, maybe one that pays to a limit of $10,000. Anything above that would be covered by the federal government. No subsidizing of policies with huge deductibles, this plan would be practical and cost effective. Not a dime of taxpayer money would pay for David's healthcare until a critical situation arose.November 4th you can vote for David's health by voting for Mark Donka and his plan. A vote for Peter Welch could mean a vote to let David die from a treatable condition. I hope you vote with your head and your heart and not based on party affiliation or ideology.Keith SternNorth Springfield

VPR Debate today at High Noon!!

People gotta talk themselves into law and order before they do anything about it. Maybe because down deep they don't care. They just don't care.

Listen online vpr.net!

Speed Bump and the Milk Bowl!!

What a great Vermont fall day to spend at a wonderful event, the Thunder Road Milk Bowl classic late model race in Barre. I shook a lot of hands, met a lot of folks and enjoyed the beautiful foliage. Vermonters have a lot of concerns and rightly they should. It's time for government to be more responsible with their tax dollars!

This Friday, Oct 3rd we're having a big push towards our final TV, radio and print advertising campaign. We definitely need your assistance. Help us raise awareness for this 24 hour event and donate what you can (via our website, facebook or check), every five dollars counts! Thanks thanks thanks, your support drives our team's engine!! #4donka#unbluevtN.E. Kingdon Banquet and Auction﻿

Join me tonight Fri, Sept 26th at the Northeast Kingdom Friends of @NRA Banquet and Auction at 5:30 in St. Johnsbury. A great cause and some fantastic raffles.

I had a great time on the show, the gang over there is top notch, thanks for having me on.

We may have bigger plans in store with them so keep your eyes open!!

Peter Welch is still steadfastly pushing for Obama Care.9.15.14

I wonder if he will comment to the 17 million losing their insurance? Spread the word people need to know what the ACA Law is going to do to our Country. It should not matter if you are Republican,Democrat or Libertarian it is going to cost people both money and their insurance.

﻿OBama Wants Money, what else!﻿9.10.2014

There is only one thing President Obama does well, fund-raise. There is only one reason he is speaking on Prime Time tonight, to solicit approval for funds he is requesting from you and me. A week ago he had no plan. Five Billion hopeful dollars later he still won't enlighten us, he just wants public approval. He's never shown any leadership quality and I don't trust him one iota. I have not a smidgen of confidence he can appropriately handle these funds. ~ Mark

7 Days of Donka - We Need Your Help!!

-Yard Sign Mon: Put up a Yard Sign if you have a great location or tell us about one. We have pickup locations all around the state.

-Door Knockin’ Weds: Help us knock on doors and canvas the ‘hood or start your own group

-Email Thur: Forward an email to ten friends

-Phone Bank Fri: Help make some calls to friendly voters reminding them to register and vote

-Fundraiser Sat: Host a fundraiser and get social; Also like us on Facebook and twitter

-Pass the plate Sun: Put some Money in our donation plate

-Other: Find out where your Local GOP meets and get involved. Support all your favorite candidates.

- Visit volunteer section here for details.

E﻿ssex Town GOP BBQ - Meet the ﻿﻿Candidates﻿9.7.14

A great time was had by all at the First Annual Essex Town BBQ meet the candidates affair on Sunday at Maple Street Park. The candidates kept rolling in giving their 2 min schpeal and then mingling with the ground. I lost track of everyone who spoke but here's a slide show to peruse. Thanks Essex GOP for sponsoring the event and all the local business that contributed. This was an inspiring event that shows the strength of teamwork. This is the type of collaboration we need to have consistently moving forward.

Some heartfelt words from a wonder﻿ful guy with a ton of integrity, thank you kindly!!﻿!

"The official tally is in from the Vermont Secretary of State and Mark Donka is the winner over me by 314 votes. Now is the time that all Republicans, Independents and Democrats who want to change our government to rally behind and ensure that Mark Donka is our next Congressman. I support Marks's candidacy 100% and will do whatever is in my power to see him elected on November 4, and I urge all Vermonter's to join together in this same quest". - Donald Russell

﻿﻿Mark Donka Outpaces Major Parties in Social Media﻿﻿

With Social Media guru Scott Walter taking over the helm as campaign manager for Mark Donka, the revamped approach is paying big dividends early. After only two months of implementing the new strategy the @markdonka twitter feed has more Klout (51), than any of the major parties including @vtgop, @vtdems or vtlp.org. To boot, he also has more klout than most of the leaders in those groups who have had accounts for years. Klout is a score between 0-100 that indicates your overall influence.

Five Red State Alliance Minutes with Mr. Walter.

RSA: Did Social Media help you win the primary?

SW: It played a significant role. We have the necessary core applications in place now that help attract major donors and get our message out to democrats, independents as well the conservative base. The are a lot of folks who don't use Social Media so understanding that SM is only one branch of the marketing machine is important. More

Thanks to EVERYONE for the kind words and support following our primary victory! After a hectic two days with little sleep it was very heartwarming to hear from so many people. It was just what the doctor ordered, motivation covered in maple syrup!! We're going to build on this victory by quadrupling of efforts and working harder and smarter than before! Stay tuned because we need your help!! It's going to take an in sync, properly prioritized and productive team effort to climb this mountain! Bring your ideas, positive energy and climb aboard team Donka!

AP Gives the win To Donka!

Donka has called for reducing federal spending and has said he's skeptical about human-caused climate change.With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Donka had 4,341 — or 36 percent of the vote — to 4,020 votes for Russell — or 33 percent — and 3,802 votes for Nolte, or 31 percent.

Election Night

It's really neat to be part of the closest three-way political race in Vermont's history. It's not even over or official and still I'm humbled to simply be a part of it. My night was fairly nerve-racking as I was checking in periodically with several people in addition to being on the David Webb show. We got a record number of hits on our web site so we're still generating a lot of interest. Scott and I will pour over the analytics to find out if they were checking us out prior, during or after voting. I can see someone in the booth with their smartphone thinking, well this site looks pretty well put together, I think I like this guy. Regardless of the election outcome, some vital lessons were learned and we have a ton of work to do!

According to more than one recent poll, the invasion of illegals across the Mexican border is is the top concern of U.S. Citizens. Is rubber stamp @peterwelch doing anything about it? Obama has a pen and a phone. He forgot to mention he also has a 9 iron and a putter because that seems to be his and Congress' level of concern! #votedonka#noamnesty

Some behind the scene shots from our filming tonight of The Woodchuck Report with Bonnie Scott on channel 17! Thanks to everyone for being so accommodating! Look for the rebroadcast sched. to catch it on cable or watch in online when it becomes avail.

Management decisions relating to personnel are always tough. When dealing wi﻿th careers, injecting some compassion and tact usually fits the bill. However, this﻿ wasn't done and is no way to handle such a precious commodity. More

Peter Welch was given a D, which I think was generous. I will support your 2nd Amendment rights. Welch will not, he is for banning standard capacity magazines and so called assault rifles. He will stand with Obama as he strips your rights away. More

Immigration

“I’m beginning a new effort to fix as much of our immigration system as I can on my own, without Congress,” ~ Barack Obama. Are these the words of a leader, a great uniter? Need I remind you of the 1986 immigration reform bill Mr. President? We don't need another do-over, we need to enforce the current laws!

New Site

We just launched our new website!!! Bookmark it, inspect it, critique it, enjoy it, donate to it and pass it along! We still have some massaging to do so all comments are appreciated.

Time to Make the Videos

We're out and about roaming the beautiful state of Vermont scouting and shooting a few videos for our brand new youtube channel. We'll keep you posted!

Change you facebook profile pic and Support Mark Donka. Put in on your page until the election to remind all your friends to VOTE THIS TUES.!!